Clinical Research Specimen Processing Specialist

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states.

Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Clinical Research Specialist I is responsible for supporting the needs of clinical investigators at Fred Hutch as users of the Clinical Research Specimen Processing shared resource (CRSP). The Clinical Research Specialist will support scientific research by handling and processing clinical research specimens in accordance with standard operating procedures while maintaining strict chain of custody. The Specialist will operate and maintain lab instrumentation, record and track specimen data, perform calculations, and prepare charts, graphs and summaries.

This is an entry level position within CRSP with substantial room for growth.

• Research Support: Works under the direction of the Supervisor or higher-level laboratory personnel. Uses limited discretion and judgment in processing clinical research blood and tissue specimens according to SOPs and study-prescribed laboratory manuals. Support lab supply ordering and maintenance of appropriate levels of supply stocking.
• Bench work duties: Performs bench work as assigned. Processing clinical research specimens (e.g., blood tissue, urine, etc.) for fractionation and preservation (e.g., plasma/serum, PBMC, slides, etc). Shipping processed specimens to central labs and collaborators. Prepare and maintain laboratory reagents, stocks.
• Research development: Establish and maintain positive, collaborative working relationships with lab members and resource users in daily CRPL operation and service needs.
• Equipment Oversight: Perform basic equipment operation and maintenance or coordinate with senior staff to complete maintenance on equipment and software.
• Training and
  
  Education:
  
  Assist in developing and modifying lab protocols, training materials, and specimen handling guidelines for investigators. May supervise work‑study students, interns and lab aides.
• Administrative tasks: Maintain laboratory records and compile data on experiments and assays.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Required:
  
  bachelor’s degree. Field of
  
  Education:
  
  Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, or related field.
• Work Experience can be substituted for education: 2-3 years of work experience in a related field or clinical research processing, in addition to school lab experience is usually necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new protocols and techniques.
• Ability to learn and operate all specimen processing equipment in accordance with biosafety standards.
• Strong communication skills and organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a collaborative team-oriented environment.
• Experience with MS Office suite of applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, One Drive, etc).
• Capable of accurate record keeping and data entry.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $29.77 to $42.39 and pay offered will be based on…